Estelle Alohalinda Fukushima
Estelle Alohalinda Fukushima passed away on May 14, 2021, at Straub Hospital, at the age of 83.
She was born on Oct. 28, 1937, at Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospita.
She was a school teacher at Koloa, Kalaheo and Kekaha schools.
She was preceded in death by parents Isidro and Hermilina Bermodez and sisters Florida Bermodez Leonora Bermodez.
She is survived by husband Ryoichi “Poroc” Fukushima of Kekaha, brothers Jaime Bermodez of O‘ahu and Justino (Myong Son) Bermodez of Las Vegas, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
The service is at Garden Island Mortuary on Saturday, June 5, with a walk-thru visitation from 9 to 11 a.m., with a celebration of life to follow.
The family requests aloha attire and that flowers be omitted. Due to COVID-19, masks and social distancing are required.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Phillip J. Kamakea
Phillip J. Kamakea of Kalaheo peacefully joined the Lord on May 20, 2021, at the age of 79. He was the youngest of 11 children.
He worked for McBryde Sugar Company in his younger years as a truck driver and crane operator, and later retired as welder. He enjoyed fishing with his grandkids and planting in his garden.
He was preceded in death by parents Thomas Suprimedio and Louisa Kamakea and daughter-in-law Angeline “Gigie” Kamakea.
He leaves behind his loving wife Patricia Kamakea, daughter Rose (Carlos) Kamakea-Colon of Florida, sons Phillip (Patti) Kamakea, David Kamakea and Kalani (Trisha) Kamakea, all of Kaua‘i, 14 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
“The first thing papa going do when he gets to heaven is go straight to the garden of eden and start grafting and air layering all the plants and trees.”
A celebration of life is Saturday, June 5, at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, with viewing from 9 to 11 a.m. and burial to follow at 11:15 a.m. at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home.
Walter Silva
Walter Silva passed away on June 6, 2020, at the age of 83. He was born on July 1, 1936 in Makaweli. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and retired as a plumber.
He was preceded in death by parents John Sr. and Ethel Silva, brothers Franklin Silva, S. and Leonard Silva.
He is survived by wife Jasmine Lopez-Silva, sons Duane (Cathie) Silva of Fairwood, Washington, John (Tami) Cummings III of Kapa‘a and Maluhia (Nikki) Cummings of Puyallup, Washington, daughters Lynn (Chuck) Talbert of Mapel Valley, Washington, Christel (Antonio) Pope of Makaweli, Lapule (George) Valente of Makaweli and Joanna Silva of Covington, Washington, 25 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, brothers John (Irene) Silva Jr. of Mililani, Antone Roy Silva of Hawai‘i and Richard Silva of Kalaheo, sister-in-law Bernice Silva of Makaweli, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services are Friday, June 4 at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center, with a walk-thru visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and service from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Due to COVID-19, limited seating is available and social distancing and masks are required.
There will be a private scattering of ashes.
Dean Kazuto Wakuta
Dean Kazuto Wakuta, 64, of Kapahi, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2021 at Wilcox Medical Center.
He was preceded in death by parents Mamoru and Kishiye (Okumura) Wakuta.
He was born at Wilcox Memorial Hospital on Oct. 22, 1956. He was the oldest son of Mamoru and Kishiye Wakuta and was raised on Kaua‘i. He graduated from Kapa‘a High School and continued his education throughout the years, studying at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, Honolulu Community College and Kaua‘i Community College.
He was a retired firefighter with the Kaua‘i Fire Department. In 1986, he was hired as a groundskeeper with the County of Kaua‘i Department of Public Works. In 1992 he was hired as a firefighter after completion of the firefighter trainee program.
He received certificates and training in fire rescue and hazardous materials, and was also a fire apparatus operator. He also worked for Rosa’s roofing part-time while working as a firefighter. In previous years, he also worked in restaurant management and fine dining. As a young boy, he helped his father work the pineapple fields that eventually became the farm, where he maintained the duties related to farming and raising cattle in his retirement. He also cared for the orchard, where he picked fruit to share with family and friends. He was a hard worker with an excellent work ethic.
He is survived by children and grandchildren Korin Ann (Charles) Wakuta-Kenney, Alexia and Charlize Kenney, Bradley (Ashley) Wakuta, Maddox Wakuta, Tyler (Ashley) Wakuta, Aria, Spencer and Kenna Wakuta, brothers Terence (Naomi) Wakuta and Stuart (Lori) Wakuta, fiance Vera Glushenko, and numerous family and friends.
He enjoyed various hobbies throughout his life, including sports, fishing, crabbing, hanging with friends and family, and playing his guitar, to name a few. In his retirement he devoted many hours working on the farm, all the while enjoying a cold Coors Light. Above all, he valued and believed in education and learning. He always supported education for himself and many others.
Borthwick Kaua‘i Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
Services were held privately. If you would like to reach out to the family, please contact Korin Ann Wakuta-Kenney, POB 724, Lihu‘e, HI 96766.
Please enjoy a Coors Light to honor and celebrate the life of Dean K. Wakuta.
Silas Aqui
Born in the Anahola village, Silas Aqui lived a colorful and fulfilling life as a fisherman, farmer, police officer, security officer, car salesman and emergency medical technician.
Although he left Hawai‘i in 1986 to move to the East Coast, his heart always remained in his one hanau, his birthplace. He went to Anahola School and then Kapa‘a High School. Even while away and living on the mainland, when he was pau hana, he would dance to his beloved Hawaiian music and garden by the moonlight. He passed away peacefully in York, Pennsylvania, on Feb. 15, 2021, surrounded by family and sand and ocean water from his beloved Anahola shores.
He was preceded in death by father Andrew Aqui, mother Naomi Kauo, brother Arcadio Aqui, sister Naomi Wampler, brother-in-law Daniel Davila, and sons-in-law Nelson Makanani and Wayne Watanabe.
He is survived by wife Martha Aqui, sons Joe (Rita) Aqui of College Place, Washington, Gerald (Wanda) Aqui of Kalaheo, Glenn (Linda) Aqui of Puhi, Charlie Aqui of Kapa‘a, Reginald (Phil) Aqui of San Francisco and Marc (Dow) Aqui of New York, daughters Kathleen Watanabe of Kapa‘a and Jan Makanani of Hilo, brother Joseph (Bonnie) Yunson of California, sister Sally Davila of Kansas City, Missouri, grandchildren Richie (Jamie) Aqui, Ryan (Lia) Aqui, Amber (James) Beck, Kai (Shaylin) Aqui, Kahealani (Drew) DesMarais, Puanani (Erin) Cobb-Adams, Lehua (Bryson) Watanabe, Jennifer (Kele) Kekuna, Jared (Kainoa) Aqui, Kiana (Tyler) Palea, Brandee (Jeremy) Carrillo, Mint Aqui, Aina Aqui and Isra Aqui, and 23 great-grandchildren.
A private celebration of life will be held in June in Anahola.
William ‘Willie’ Stanphill Sr.
William “Willie” Stanphill Sr. passed on to his eternal glory in his Lihu‘e home on May 26, 2021.
He was husband to Marjorie Stanphill and father to CJ Stanphill Jr., and has three grandchildren residing in Maine.
Cremation will take place at Kaua‘i Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, and a celebration of life date will be set later this year.
Puanani Merri-Joy Arruda
Puanani Merri-Joy Arruda passed away on April 27, 2021 on Kaua‘i.
She was born on Dec. 22, 1956, in New York.
She was an emergency medical technician.
She was preceded in death by parents Clarence and Puanani E. Arruda, and brother Mark Arruda.
She is survived by daughters Napualani Arruda of Kapa‘a and Ku‘ulei Arruda of Kapa‘a, grandchildren Ki‘ilani, Le‘a and Channing, and brother Marvin Arruda.
Due to COVID-19, services will be determined at a later date.
Garden Island Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.
